Nathan is a son of Samuel and Martha "Patsy" Dinwiddie. After his father's death September 28, 1865, in Boone County, Missouri Nathan was granted $535 in his father's will.

An early graduate of the University of Missouri, Nathan moved to Dade County, Missouri from Columbia, Missouri in the late 1850's to organize an academy. Citizens provided a two-room building and other assistance. The Dinwiddie Academy became a success, and was well known throughout the area.

On June 14,1864 virtually all of Dadeville (called Melville at the time) was burned to the ground by bushwhackers during the Civil War. The academy and Nathan's home were also burned.
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Married just one year Nathan's young wife, Martha Jane Moseley, and newborn child died in 1859.

In the 1860 Dade County Census Nathan age 25, and Almira Dinwiddie age 20, are at the home of David M and Virginia Long. Virginia is Almira's sister. She and Nathan are newly married.

Their children are Nora b.1865, Mary Garrett, Virgil M, Fannie and Samuel. Almira died in 1874.

Nathan married Kessiah Quarles, at the home of her parents, Thomas and Rebecca Cox Quarles. One of his former students, they were wed Sunday, May 9, 1875, by Elder WH Watson. Their children are Willie b.1876, Lillie M b.1878, Maggie B b.1881, Lucy b.1883, twins James E. and Ella Sarah b.1886.

From the Dade County Advocate, December 15, 1887 -- Died - At his residence in Morgan Township, on Dec 3, 1887, at 4 o'clock a.m., Nathan Dinwiddie, aged 52 years, 3 months and 8 days..... Mr. Dinwiddie was an industrious and efficient teacher, who gave his pupils many lessons, both mental and moral, that have been and will be invaluable to them; a kind and loving father who often sacrificed his health for the pleasure of his family; a true and forgiving Christian "who when rebuked, reviled not again." He was a member of the Christian church who, not withstanding his many bereavements, and the dark shadows that often overspread his way, always hoped for a bright future, and lived ever to honor the cause. He was an elder in the church for twenty-five years and died triumphant in a living faith. His burial was witnessed by over five hundred of his friends, many of them being his former pupils. M.